Methods and Procedures for Building Sustainable Farming Systems
Methods and Procedures for Building Sustainable Farming Systems

Author: Ana Alexandra Marta-Costa

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-10-17

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13: 9400750021

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Showing how the method of sustainability assessment plays a key role in choosing the best agricultural productive mode, this book guides the reader through the process of selecting, from among the various approaches for building farming systems, the method of decision-making that will result in the most appropriate outcome, given the context. Case studies hail from polities as diverse as Portugal and Canada, Argentina and Lebanon. The work thus offers a valuable critical survey of the assessment methods that account for sustainability and economics, and which have developed considerably in the last two decades. The heterogeneous approaches covered here make this volume appropriate for consultation in a wide variety of social, political and geographical contexts.

Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century
Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2010-07-25

Total Pages: 598

ISBN-13: 0309148960

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In the last 20 years, there has been a remarkable emergence of innovations and technological advances that are generating promising changes and opportunities for sustainable agriculture, yet at the same time the agricultural sector worldwide faces numerous daunting challenges. Not only is the agricultural sector expected to produce adequate food, fiber, and feed, and contribute to biofuels to meet the needs of a rising global population, it is expected to do so under increasingly scarce natural resources and climate change. Growing awareness of the unintended impacts associated with some agricultural production practices has led to heightened societal expectations for improved environmental, community, labor, and animal welfare standards in agriculture. Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century assesses the scientific evidence for the strengths and weaknesses of different production, marketing, and policy approaches for improving and reducing the costs and unintended consequences of agricultural production. It discusses the principles underlying farming systems and practices that could improve the sustainability. It also explores how those lessons learned could be applied to agriculture in different regional and international settings, with an emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. By focusing on a systems approach to improving the sustainability of U.S. agriculture, this book can have a profound impact on the development and implementation of sustainable farming systems. Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century serves as a valuable resource for policy makers, farmers, experts in food production and agribusiness, and federal regulatory agencies.

Methods and Procedures for Building Sustainable Farming Systems
Methods and Procedures for Building Sustainable Farming Systems

Author: Ana Alexandra Marta-Costa

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-10-20

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13: 940075003X

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Showing how the method of sustainability assessment plays a key role in choosing the best agricultural productive mode, this book guides the reader through the process of selecting, from among the various approaches for building farming systems, the method of decision-making that will result in the most appropriate outcome, given the context. Case studies hail from polities as diverse as Portugal and Canada, Argentina and Lebanon. The work thus offers a valuable critical survey of the assessment methods that account for sustainability and economics, and which have developed considerably in the last two decades. The heterogeneous approaches covered here make this volume appropriate for consultation in a wide variety of social, political and geographical contexts.

Sustainable Intensification
Sustainable Intensification

Author: Jules N. Pretty

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2012-06-25

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 1136529276

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Continued population growth, rapidly changing consumption patterns and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are driving limited resources of food, energy, water and materials towards critical thresholds worldwide. These pressures are likely to be substantial across Africa, where countries will have to find innovative ways to boost crop and livestock production to avoid becoming more reliant on imports and food aid. Sustainable agricultural intensification - producing more output from the same area of land while reducing the negative environmental impacts - represents a solution for millions of African farmers. This volume presents the lessons learned from 40 sustainable agricultural intensification programmes in 20 countries across Africa, commissioned as part of the UK Government's Foresight project. Through detailed case studies, the authors of each chapter examine how to develop productive and sustainable agricultural systems and how to scale up these systems to reach many more millions of people in the future. Themes covered include crop improvements, agroforestry and soil conservation, conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, horticulture, livestock and fodder crops, aquaculture, and novel policies and partnerships.

Improving Sustainable Viticulture and Winemaking Practices
Improving Sustainable Viticulture and Winemaking Practices

Author: J. Miguel Costa

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2022-03-19

Total Pages: 538

ISBN-13: 0323851673

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Improving Sustainable Practices in Viticulture and Enology provides an up-to-date view on the major issues concerning the sustainability of the wine supply chain. The book describes problems and solutions on the use of inputs (e.g., water, energy) and emphasizes the roles and limitations of implementing circularity in the sector. It identifies some of the most relevant metrics while pinpointing the most critical issues concerning the environmental impacts of wine's supply chain (vineyards, wineries, trading). This is a novel reference to help the industry excel in production while improving current environmental practices. Professionals in industry, academics, environmentalists and anyone interested in gaining knowledge in sustainable solutions and practices in viticulture and wine production will find this resource indispensable. - Suggests and discusses solutions to overcome challenges imposed by adverse climate conditions - Presents innovative technologies that have an impact on the efficiency of resources and recycling - Includes technological tools for more precise monitoring and management in the wine supply chain

Sustainable Agriculture Reviews
Sustainable Agriculture Reviews

Author: Eric Lichtfouse

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-07-13

Total Pages: 307

ISBN-13: 3319586793

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This book deals with a rapidly growing field aiming at producing food and energy in a sustainable way for humans and their children. It is a discipline that addresses current issues: climate change, increasing food and fuel prices, poor-nation starvation, rich-nation obesity, water pollution, soil erosion, fertility loss, pest control and biodiversity depletion. This series gathers review articles that analyze current agricultural issues and knowledge, then proposes alternative solutions.

Farming Systems Research into the 21st Century: The New Dynamic
Farming Systems Research into the 21st Century: The New Dynamic

Author: Ika Darnhofer

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-05-30

Total Pages: 488

ISBN-13: 9400745036

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Farming Systems Research has three core characteristics: it builds on systems thinking, it depends on the close collaboration between social and biophysical sciences, and it relies on participation to build co-learning processes. Farming Systems Research posits that to contribute towards sustainable rural development, both interdisciplinary collaborations and local actor engagement are needed. Together, they allow for changes in understanding and changes in practices. This book gives an overview of the insights generated in 20 years of Farming Systems Research. It retraces the emergence and development of Farming Systems Research in Europe, summarises the state-of-the-art for key areas, and provides an outlook on new explorations, especially those tackling the dynamic nature of farming systems and their interaction with the natural environment and the context of action.